Major League Soccer recognized Valeri for his exceptional first season in MLS on Wednesday, naming the midfielder the 2013 Newcomer of the Year.

The 27-year-old led the Timbers in goals with 10 and recorded a league-leading 13 assists. Valeri was named to the MLS Best XI on Tuesday.

“I’m very happy with my work, with my teammates,” said Valeri earlier this season. “I think they make me feel fantastic on the field, in the locker room. That’s very good for my job.”

Valeri joined Portland in January from Argentine club Atlético Lanús and became the first Timber to record double-digit totals in goals and assists in a single season.

The midfielder scored the Timbers first goal of the season in his debut to help Portland tie the New York Red Bulls 3-3 at Jeld-Wen Field. Valeri said scoring that goal was his favorite moment of the season.

Valeri made the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week seven times and won MLS Goal of the Week four times during the regular season. He is a finalist for MLS Goal of the Year.

And the midfielder put together his incredible season while suffering from a severe sports hernia that he sustained in August against Real Salt Lake.

Even though Valeri couldn't play a full 90 minutes after his injury, he still managed to be a crucial cog in Portland's offense. In the Timbers' final regular-season game, Valeri tallied two goals and one assist in only one half as the Timbers beat Chivas USA 5-0.

The Newcomer of the Year award honors a player in his first season in MLS, who has prior professional experience. Valeri was the runaway choice for the award in voting by the media, MLS players and MLS club management.